Eating Out Does Not Have to Wreck Your Diet

Eating out is part our lives, it’s a great escape, a way to socialize and relax. Whether you eat out once a week or three times a week, there should be no reason that it should ruin your time or diet. As always planning ahead takes precedence in making the right choices when eating out. And always remember there is always that weekly splurge that could be eaten at your favorite restaurant. However my pointers are for everyone who wants to eat out, enjoy their food without guilt without ruining their diet.

I love eating out but always try to check the menu before hand and decide what course I will take. Do they offer great protein choices, grilled without tons of sauces, or great veggies prepared in a way you are not used to? Decide if you want that great pasta; eat it instead of dessert or vice versa. There is so much that can be eaten out that will satisfy your foodie tooth and still not wreck your weight –loss efforts.

Try not going to the restaurant absolutely starving, so you won’t order in excess. Eat a bit of fruit or snack on some veggies, a glass of milk or water will keep you in check. A also eat a little less during the day if you feel you will not be able to stick to your plan. If you think you have over-ordered don’t feel like you have to devour everything on your plate, take home a doggie bag.

Don’t have cocktails before dinner, it will lower your inhibitions and could take your eating out of control. Plus when you’re buzzed, you don’t really get a chance to savor your food and the whole food experience is forgotten the next day. I never eat good food while drinking to get drunk, what‘s the point? You won’t taste the food anyway and waste a hell of a lot of money.

Start with a salad to fill you up, or just order appetizers which are smaller and sometimes the tastiest things on the menu. Don’t waste your calories on fruit drinks, beer or cola. Eat high protein foods with low carb sides, especially if the protein food is high fat. Nix any rice or potato type food, it is a waste of calories and has no nutritional value. If I never eat a white potato or white rice again, it will be too soon. Keep breads, bread sticks or chips off the table before your meal starts, before you know it you talked your way through a basket of calorie filled tortillas before your meal is even started.

With a little planning and taking some smart precautions, you don’t have to avoid those nights out with friends. Remember food brings people together, it is present at every important event in one’s life, it should be appreciated and enjoyed not dreaded. You are in control of what goes in your mouth, don’t be a victim to the food. Take it slow and enjoy every bite. Bon Appetito!

Fiorella